VANCOUVER, BC – When the 2014 Major League Soccer schedule was released in November of last year, one of the headliners for Vancouver Whitecaps FC was a home-and-home series with LA Galaxy.
The four-time MLS Cup champion Galaxy are always a draw, and it’s not just because of their star-studded roster. Meetings between Vancouver and Los Angeles have produced countless moments of passion, heartbreak, and jubilation.
Some of those moments include heated battles between Barry Robson and David Beckham, or more recently Andy O’Brien and Robbie Keane, but they’re not the only ones.
With the ‘Caps and Galaxy set for back-to-back meetings, we relive the top three games between the Western Conference rivals.
3. DRAMATIC DRAW
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<strong>Highlights: Whitecaps FC 2-2 LA Galaxy</strong> |
From start to finish, Whitecaps FC’s 2-2 draw with LA Galaxy on July 18, 2012 at BC Place offered edge-of-the seat action for the sold-out BC Place crowd.
Midfielder Gershon Koffie opened the scoring in the 18th minute after some nifty footwork and a low drive from just inside the box. It was Whitecaps FC’s first-ever goal against the Galaxy in league play.
Robson, a former 'Caps midfielder, then doubled the lead with his first MLS goal in the 27th minute, before the Galaxy drew even with two goals in the last 10 minutes of the game.
2. FROM HOPE TO HEARTBREAK
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<strong>Highlights: LA Galaxy 2-1 Whitecaps FC</strong> |
Whitecaps FC became the first Canadian club to appear in an MLS Cup playoff match on November 1, 2012, and they nearly upset the heavily-favoured Galaxy in the process.
It was a dream start for the visiting ‘Caps, who opened the scoring in the third minute on the strength of a Darren Mattocks tally. Vancouver held onto their one-goal advantage until the 69th minute, when Mike Magee got the Galaxy on the board with a volleyed strike.
Then, in a moment of controversy, the Galaxy were awarded a penalty and U.S. national team star Landon Donovan slotted home the match winner. It was a heartbreaking result for Whitecaps FC, but a match that will forever be engrained in the club’s history.
1. ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS
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<strong>Highlights: Whitecaps FC 3-1 LA Galaxy</strong> |
Finally, in the seventh MLS meeting between the two teams, Whitecaps FC claimed their first-ever win over the Galaxy on May 11, 2013 in front of another sold-out BC Place crowd.
The 3-1 victory was also a historic occasion for Canadian midfielder Russell Teibert, who scored his first two professional goals in the match – with his family in the stands, no less.
The Galaxy got a goal back late, but Mattocks added an insurance marker in stoppage time to secure the memorable win.
Whitecaps FC and LA Galaxy will meet this Saturday at the StubHub Center in Carson, California (7:30 p.m. PT, TSN, TEAM 1410), before going head-to-head again next weekend at BC Place.
It’s not too late to participate in the best sporting experience in Vancouver. Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including half-season tickets ($244), 5-packs ($149), student season tickets ($199), and a youth soccer half-season ticket ($100). Single-match tickets start at $22, subject to applicable fees. For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
